Title 2.

 

Of the Administration of the Government.

 

Of the Executive

 

Chapter V. The King – His Privy Council.

 

§24.  The King may, at any time, by Royal Letters Patent, appoint any of his subjects, who has attained the age of majority, a member of His Privy Council of State, to hold office during the King’s pleasure.

 

§25.  Every member of the King’s Privy Council of State, before entering upon the discharge of his duties as such, shall take an oath to support the Constitution, to advise the King honestly, and to observe strict secrecy in regard to matters coming to his knowledge as a Privy Counselor, upon which a special injunction shall have been imposed by the King; but such injunction shall not extend to an interchange of views upon the matters enjoined between members of said Council, nor shall be held to continue after the injunction of secrecy has been removed.

 

§26.  It shall be the duty of every Privy Counselor;

 

1.  To advise the King according to the best of his knowledge and discretion.

 

2.  To advise for the King’s honor and the good of the public, without partiality through friendship, love, reward, fear or favor.

 

3.  Finally, the avoid corruption – and to observe, keep, and do all that a good and true counselor ought to observe, keep, and do to his Sovereign.

 

§27.  Every Privy Counselor shall have full liberty to be present at any regular or extraordinary meeting of the Privy Council, and to express his views and opinions upon every matter submitted to said Council.  He shall also be entitled to vote, and have the same recorded, upon all questions not affecting his private interests.

 

§28.  The Privy Council shall regulate its own proceedings;  and shall also appoint a secretary, who shall keep a true record of all its transactions, and have the custody of such record.

 

§29.  To prevent the danger and inconvenience of having no Privy Council, during the vacancy of the throne, the Privy Council in being at the demise of the Crown, shall continue until determined by the successor or Kuhina Nui.*

 

*The office of Kuhina Nui was omitted from the Constitution of 1864.

 

 

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